Have a Family-Friendly Mardi Gras on Alabama's Beaches

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

January 20, 2015

Carnival season is here, which immediately brings to mind parades, beads and revelry! But did you know you don't have to travel to the Big Easy for Mardi Gras fun? There are plenty of parade and carnival festivities going on right here on the Alabama Gulf Coast. In fact, Mardi Gras originated in a nearby Mobile in 1703. Not surprising, this annual celebration spilled over into nearby towns and eventually along the entire Gulf Coast.

You'll find more parades in nearby Foley, Fairhope, Daphne and Mobile during the next two weeks. And, if you do make it over to Mobile during your stay in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, be sure to stop in at the Mobile Carnival Museum. This local gem shares the origins of Mardi Gras and its evolution, and features one of the best collections of Mardi Gras costumes I've ever seen assembled in one place.

When you're in between Mardi Gras celebrations, you'll still find plenty to keep you busy. You're sure to find something of interest on the things to do list.

Mardi Gras along the Alabama Gulf Coast may not garner the same attention as New Orleans, but that's okay. After all, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach not only have fun and fabulous Mardi Gras celebrations, but the cities also have 32 miles of soft sand and clear waters. Who wouldn't want to celebrate a family-style Mardi Gras at the beach?